Man loses 25 percent of skin after contracting flesh-eating bacteria
Surgeons had to remove a quarter of a man’s skin during life-saving surgery after he contracted aggressive flesh-eating bacteria.
Last week David Ireland was admitted to the emergency ward at a Florida hospital with ‘flu-like symptoms’ but his condition quickly deteriorated.
Doctors diagnosed the 50-year-old father with Necrotizing Fasciitis, a rare life-threatening bacterial infection that can spread through the body rapidly.
A GoFundMe page set up by Mr Ireland’s brother, Daniel Ireland, said he remains in critical condition after three surgeries which removed 25 percent of his affected skin.
On Tuesday, Jody Ireland updated the page with her husband’s condition.
“David will need to have surgery to do a reversible colostomy to help prevent his bowel movements from entering his open wounds. They will also be checking for more infection and if so taking more skin off,” she wrote.
According to America’s Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Necrotizing Fasciitis commonly enters the body through open wounds but can also be contracted after an injury.
Ms Ireland told Fox News doctors believe it may have entered her husband’s body through a wound in his leg.
“Because he is diabetic, the bacteria turned into strep and started eating his flesh,” she said.
Mr Ireland’s brother said the family are staying positive and focusing on the small improvements.
“His blood pressure and acid numbers from his liver are starting to level off, showing a hopeful sign of recovery,” he wrote on the fundraising page.
Ms Ireland told Fox that her husband remains on a ventilator and continuous dialysis as his kidneys have failed.
“I miss my best friend very much,” she said.
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